It’s been a while coffee smellers but reading this triggered my first post for a while and got me thinking.

On November 25th 2010, when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone got mugged and beaten in London the media didn’t make a song and dance of it. And nor did Bernie, despite being beaten unconscious and suffering some fairly significant bruising.

Not many would find a business opportunity in a mugging, but if anyone could it’s going to be veteran hustler Bernie. And he has. The photo below shows Bernie’s impressive injuries, sustained when muggers beat him and ripped his Hublot watch from his wrist outside the F1 offices in London. And it’s the Hublot connection – an F1 sponsor, no less – which has enabled Bernie to cash-in on his mugging.

The battered n bruised image now forms part of a Hublot advert with the strapline “See what people will do for a Hublot.” attached to it.

Bernie Ecclestone – master of opportunity? I think so. Any other examples of turning a negative into a positive are welcomed here. Cheers!

August 12th, was Vinyl Record Day or Record Store Day!!  Time for audiophiles to have some fun!!!

The following is from website Vinyl Record Day:  

In February of 2002 the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in California adopted a proclamation, conceived and written by Gary Freiberg, declaring August 12th as Vinyl Record Day in San Luis Obispo County. The date recognizes when Edison invented the phonograph in 1877.  It was then decided to have a Vinyl Record Day (VRD) celebration in San Luis Obispo on the first Saturday following August 12th, which was the 17th. The celebration was to appeal to all generations. The day started with Big Band Swing Music with the music changing every forty-five minutes. Following were segments on Elvis, the Beatles, a Sock Hop, R&B, Surf, Country, Disco, Jazz and Blues, all played on vinyl. Grandparents danced with grandchildren, there were many good times with friends, families, couples, kids, teenage and college aged all enjoying the music variety.

The following is from the blog, Antenna:

Amidst all the record industry’s doom and gloom over digital piracy and declining CD sales, there has been one largely overlooked area of the market that’s actually been experiencing tremendous growth in recent years, and that’s vinyl. That’s right: phonograph records, that analog sound recording format that has been declared dead more times than film criticism. The reality is that vinyl – the primary commercial music medium for most of the 20^th century – never went away, even though it left the mainstream in the early 1990s, replaced by digital media (first CDs, then MP3s). It has remained a staple of the rock music underground, as well as the preferred format of most serious record collectors and audiophiles. The Internet-fueled “digital music era,” however, has sparked a new wave of interest in this old medium, some even predicting that vinyl will eventually replace CDs as the physical music media of choice.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, sales of vinyl albums in the U.S. increased by 33% in 2009, to approximately 2.5 million copies. The major labels have started pressing vinyl again for the first time in roughly a decade. It is estimated that half of all new albums are being released with a vinyl counterpart. Still, digital music dominates sales and vinyl remains a niche item: digital track and album purchases, which were also up in 2009, account for nearly 80% of total music sales, while vinyl represents less than 1%. In other words, no one is suggesting that vinyl is about to replace digital music, only the CD. But the record industry – by which I mean not only the record labels but also retailers, distributors, manufacturing plants, et al. – very much needs physical objects to sell, hence its renewed commitment to vinyl.

I have a small collection of about 300 records and 45s.  We still have two working turntables and listen to our vinyl.  Given that new records are now CDs, I really miss some of the special things about vinyl.  The sound including the pops and hisses, etc, seemed warmer.   I know that is hard to define…just a feeling.  I miss the special photo records, the larger pictures, the special sleeves for 45s and just the feel and smell of a new record.  Now, as I am older, I really miss being able to read the lyrics…need to take off glasses and other times can’t read them at all.  But, CDs are more durable and take up less space.  Now, I think my CD collection surpasses my vinyl collection.  I remember my first two records that I purchased with my own money.  They were Beach Boys, Endless Summer, and Olivia Newton-John’s greatest hits.  Oh how, I love going to used record stores and finding a gem.  I miss going through the rows of albums…CDs just don’t seem as fun…I know my age is showing!!!

I am lucky enough to live in Southern California where used record stores exist…time to go thumbing through!!

What was your first album or CD that you purchased?  If you forgot, what about your most memorable or exciting find?[

It’s no use crying over spilt milk, or coffee B.P, the damage is done:

Spillage stories welcomed here and do we really believe that the spill has been contained or was it exaggerated from day one? Hmmmm I wonder….

INCEPTION : This is THE film of the moment, ‘they’ say:

It’s one you need to watch twice, not just once  - you know, to ‘gettit’. All about dreams and our sub conscious & what is life without our dreams, eh?

Comments welcomed, I’ll aim to watch it the first time during the next week – then again if another session is needed to get it.

In August, it seems that at work and other places are free zucchini’s everywhere.  Well, that is when they are at their best, but the usually grow more than what one person or one family can consume.  Therefore, this silly day was born in the United States where I live in sunny Southern California.

August 8th is National Zucchini Day or Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbors’ Porch Day.  This special day was formed due to overzealous planting of zucchini, citizens are asked to drop off baskets of the squash on neighbors’ doorsteps.

Top 20 List for successful sneaking of Zucchini or otherwise ridding yourself of unwanted surplus summer squash

1) Carefully place a dozen or more zucchini in a large, sturdy black plastic trash bag, then add a couple layers of unwanted clothing. Drive to nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army, hand over bag to nearest volunteer. Politely refuse any offered receipt. Leave quickly.

2) Look for out of the way places which have signs posted, “Clean Fill Wanted.”

3) Reserve 1/2 of the space in large, upright freezer, gather all available plastic containers & freezer bags. Drink a vat of your favorite caffinated beverage, in preparation for staying up round the clock to puree large quantities of zucchini. This can then be packaged neatly and artistically labeled: “For Zucchini Nut Bread Recipe.” These packages can be freely given, along with copies of recipe, to anyone on your Christmas list. [Ed. note: I solemnly promise that I will eventually post this recipe.]

4) Under light of full moon, either stark naked or wearing full army camouflage, carrying a machete or any garden implement, run amuck in your zucchini patch, cutting and slashing. Be sure to thank mother nature for her bounty before and after this cathartic experience.

5) Buy a large roll of freezer paper–the kind that sub shops use to, you know, wrap up their subs & other sandwiches. Then proceed to wrap each zucchini which has managed to grow to a foot or more in length. Next time your child has a fundraiser, send him or her out supplied with these phoney subs. Tell child to drop them off with neighbors or relatives and leave quickly. It’s advisable that a responsible adult hover nearby in a get-away car.

6) Gotta run! Time to order my seeds. Rest of top 20 list to follow soon! Send us some of your own ideas meanwhile! Info@wellcat.com.

SHARE SOME OF YOUR IDEAS OF COOKING WITH OR EATING ZUCCHINI OR WAYS TO GIVE THEM TO YOUR NEIGHBOR.

This was an email sent to me and from all the things that I read on the internet, it is probably true.  Either way it makes you think.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old.   “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.” My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2.When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch .
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7.. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Which ones are your favorites and what makes them special to you? OR Share a favorite one that you have.

Caption:  “I know he stole my coffee…”

 How does caffeine effect you?

I assume that most have heard about the BP, which is partly owned by the United States, oil spill effecting my country’s (U.S.) progress.  This is considered the largest environmental disaster.  The effect on the wildlife and the livelihood of of those whom need the gulf for their income including shrimp, crab and many more see life.  This also effects tourism income.  I understand how difficult this situation is to resolve in the mean time it is beginning to take a human toll.

What  would you survive if your livelihood and way of life were suddenly taken from you?  What is the media in your area telling you?